Our Congo – our Motherland of great worth

Breath-taking beauty is this dear Congo

Whose very people like an army in war

Are determined to bring victory home

Squatters had occupied our premises –

But the fathers proved valid title deed

So on this land we could begin to build –

For a declaration of independence on June, 30^th 1960

They fought heart and soul though the process was risky –

So we could develop the plan and its details carry

To this Congo we owe an account of glory

Its achievement relies on a change of mentality

The people, ready to take on responsibility

Every citizen will fulfil their role –

In denouncing injustice in our land, we will be bold

Our history, to the world, must be told –

Our Congo – our Motherland of great worth

Will see sunshine on her river’s coast

Even if our lives this freedom must cost –

An Evening Discussion

In speaking sense during the night

Came much reason for us to write –

However blue may be the sky

Along still continues the fight –

If one does not achieve the goal

He seeks to make the rest fall

When the neighbour’s flowers grow

He wishes them to have many flaws

The humblest of learned among the ignorant

Has for best qualification – arrogance

However reverent may be his countenance

Their disapproval will yet be apparent

To explain the reasons of the project

Only has attracted so much disrespect –

To ask their support is a huge mistake

And to consult them is to forget the task

Like a burning fire –though- is the vision –

It consumes any unnecessary connection

Many do not understand the reason

It does not seek universal satisfaction

Though there rise condemning tongues,

In learning there is nothing wrong - 

So long as our own in darkness plunge

Will we continue to cry out for change

MYSTERE

Je les vois s’avancer – des hommes

Aux liens plus forts qu’une famille

Pendant des années dans la paix – vivent-ils

Dans la mutualité et la coopération

J’entends leurs projets – quotidien

Jamais un seul ne mange sans penser aux autres

L’affection si réciproque qui les unit

Fait d’eux une nation manifestement forte –

Mais j’observe leur cœur – le cœur de l’homme

Rapide à oublier – comme le vent qui souffle

Les bienfaits sont facilement effacés de la mémoire

A l’ombre d’un seul mécontentement

Quelques années plus tard, je les revois  

Chacun de son cote – ils avancent les têtes opposées

On croirait à peine qu’ils étaient une nation – pourtant

Une simple incompréhension a réussi à les diviser

Dès l’enfance j’ai bien voulu comprendre

Pourquoi des années d’amitié disparaissent en une seule nuit

Pourquoi on met autant de temps à construire

Mais une seule minute suffit pour détruire